Assignment 2: Draft a 3D model of a selected body part

Usually the 03.10.2017 is seen as holiday (Day of German Unity). However me and the rest of the project members were still willing that class should take place class due to its relevance. Nevertheless the meeting started with Adriana's presentation which was an introduction into the topic “Digital Bodies”. Therefore we get first ideas what the topic is all about. Afterwards we go through programs such as Meshmixer, 360 Fusion (Slicer), Rhinoceros (Grasshopper) as well as Make Human. Those programs are useful methods in order to create a 3D model.

While doing technology is also necessary. More or less we focused on two relevant techniques/devices.

The 3D Scanner is a useful device that is able to analyze a “real-world” object that gather data due to its shape and appearance. The gathered data can be used in order to construct a digital 3D model.

Relevant to our assumption to create a 3D model by combining useful programs and also techniques I decided to choose the whole right hand. Unfortunately at the first and second time it did not worked out immediately. Thus the data had to many gaps. Furthermore the surface was not smooth ( even if I had used Meshmixer t o make it smoother the result would not sufficient). In the third attempt I decided to focus on the arm leap. In more detail I am interested in the ability of the movement of the elbow in general. Therefore Naida scanned my right arm.

The so-called Laser Cutter is a technology used for manufacturing application that cuts materials (e.g wood) with a laser. The laser optics and CNC (computer numerical control) are used to direct the material or the laser beam generated. The focused laser beam is directed at the material, which then either melts, burns, vaporizes away, leaving an restrict with a high-quality surface finish.

Due to some problems to download Meshmixer/ 360 Fusion, I was not able to use the Laser Cutter on Tuesday. Fortunately I had the two mentioned programs on 05.10.2017. In the first place I import the data of my scanned body part (right arm) on Meshmixer. After I split my arm into 'upper' and 'under' arm. Even if I used that program twice (worked on the body party separately) the work would be more effective and a better overview will be established.

As you can see the this is the objective before I used Meshmixer. Here the arm is still complete and the surface is pretty rough. In other words the next step was to shape my arm in a way that it can be used for 360 Fusion Slicer afterwards, to cut the object via Laser Cutter. (above picture)

I am incredibly satisfied with the result when using Meshmixer. Due to the fact that the surface is smooth, also particular parts are eliminated which has been disturbed at the beginning.

Immediately afterwards I used 360 Fusion Slicer. The object size of my selected body part amounts:

• Upper arm: height =15.791cm; width =22.000cm and length = 9.707 cm
• Under arm: height = 20.000cm; width =22.458cm; length =14.349cm

https://fh-potsdam.github.io/doing-papercraft/slicer/ ← The description of 360 Fusion Slicer is described very well in the link, also I received some important information. The object size of my selected body part was needed in order to determine the amount required sheets and part.

• Upper arm: 2 sheets and 74 parts
• Under arm: 1 sheet and 73 parts

Initially I exported the previous data in 360 Fusion Slicer as PDF data. Therefore I was able to use Adobe Illustrator to serve the laser Cutter. With the laser cutter I cut the already determined parts of each of my arm-parts. Eventually I glued the particular parts of my under and upper arm together.

In the below picture you can see my final 3D model of my under arm. My expectation were/are highly fulfilled, based on this result. On top of that I am really proud resp happy about creating an object like that while I put a lot of effort for this assignment.

Even though in the middle of gluing the upper arm, it was noticeable that something went absolutely wrong. First of all I thought it might be due to a mistake in Adobe Illustrator. As a result of this, I reuse the laser cutter for the purpose of cutting new parts of the upper arm. Nevertheless, it was still wrong. Below you can see the first result of my first semi-finished upper arm.

I totally struggled with the result. Towards several assumptions I went to Adriana and told her one of the previous steps were incorrect. Once we compared the above parts withe the determined parts I used on 360 Fusion Slicer, we have noticed that the parts where completely different. Thankfully I found the mistake and used finally the right parts of the upper arm. I was relieved that it works successfully at the end of the day.